The magnificent stone hotel and restaurant dates back to the 1800s. The history of the Hotel Julien Dubuque can be traced back to 1839, when the first lodging establishment was built at Second and Main streets. I was scrolling through the haunted places in Iowa and wanted to suggest adding the Lennox College campus in Hopkinton. The trial began on December 13, 1927 with the defendants asking for a change of venue. Your email address will not be published. Back Submit. The name of the hotel was changed to the Julien Motor Inn in 1969. "The Art Room," later a reception area off the lobby along 2nd Street was known as the "Harbor Gallery." Find museums in Dubuque, IA. We still dont have a clue as to how it happened maybe Al Capone was enjoying the show . This lasted about a full minute, then slowly faded away. Pearl was caught, tried, and convicted, and she died in prison. Not only is it Iowa's oldest hotel, but it's one of the most haunted buildings in the Midwest. According to the hotel's website, those celebrities include Abraham Lincoln, Buffalo Bill, Cody and Mark Twain, and even Al Capone. The hotel was given its original 1915 name; The Hotel Julien Dubuque. Be sure to enjoy a meal at Carolines Restaurant, the onsite restaurant. Legend around town says that if you drive out the the middle of the bridge and shut off the car, an unseen force will push your car across the bridge. Be sure to enjoy a meal at Carolines Restaurant, the onsite restaurant. Among the strange Reports say that highways were built over the old cemetery, which lies about where the Hardee's stands. WiFi, parking, and an airport shuttle are free at this hotel. Come stay with us! (24), In addition to being a venue for the JULIEN DUBUQUE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, the background for the television series "The Bachelor" and many weddings, the hotel was once the site of a duel. When seen by the living, the spirit of Al Capone sometimes appears as a short, squatty shadow with a fedora on his head. #2 of 18 hotels in Dubuque Location Cleanliness Service Value Travellers' Choice Experience this remarkable full service boutique hotel, offering the area's most elegant accommodations, cuisine and impeccable service. It is conveniently located a few blocks from the Diamond Jo casino and the aquatic museum. Tucked away on the second floor, far away from other guests, the rooms vintage theme is rich with Old Hollywood glamour. Did you see Al Capones ghost? (6). An imposing building with a bell tower just begs to have a good ghost story associated with it, and this city hall building is no exception. The hotel has hosted many famous guests, including the infamous gangster, Al Capone. There are rumors that this is actually the ghost of Al Capone who is thought to have been a frequent guest at the hotel. The Hotel Julien was built originally in 1839 under the name Waples House, according to the hotel's website. The Stagecoach House, formerly an inn and a museum, is now a private residence, so please respect the owners' privacy. You can also see the beautiful old train depot from the hotel and hear trains once in a while.I highly recommend this hotel. Each room has a Keurig for coffee and tea, which we appreciated. (21) The interests of nearly all the minority stockholders were purchased as well with the exception of sixty shares held by several people in Dubuque. Years ago while staying at the Julien Inn my husband sat BOLT UPRIGHT in bed about 3 in the morning and said in a very strange and low ranged voice You Just Wait then he promptly laid back and fell asleep. Menominee, IL (6.7 mi.) 24 minutes Compare public transit, taxi, biking, walking, driving, and ridesharing. Servers would come up and give the food to the guards. (22). Misty white formations were known to appear, long believed to be the ghost of Mary, a child who passed away here in the 1860s. Always Reward yourself your way Stay where you want, when you want, and get rewarded Learn about Hotels.com Rewards Unlock instant savings You could get an extra 10% off with Member Prices Sign up, it's free Sign in Free cancellation It was often chosen as the site for weddings. A minibar, fridge and coffee-making facilities are provided in the modern rooms at Julien Dubuque Hotel. LCD televisions come with cable channels. The hotel gained notoriety thanks to Al Capone and was ultimately purchased by the current ownership in 1962. The hotel is close to restaurants, shops and a short walk to the Mississippi Riverwalk. . When I spoke with the front desk, they were polite but they didn't do anything about the elevator.Additionally, we felt that the walls were very thin for a hotel of this supposed caliber. (7) The business of constructing the new building was carried out through The New Julien House Company organized on February 14, 1889 with directors including Augustin A. COOPER, Frank D. STOUT, Thomas CONNOLLY, Jacob RICH, Bart E. LINEHAN, James H. SHIELDS and George Benjamin BURCH. (14) The expected cost was $450,000. Hotels Hotels in Dubuque Going to Check-in Check-out Guests Hotels.com makes it easy and rewarding. Get more stories delivered right to your email. In homage to Al Capones history with the hotel, the Julien built a Capone suite in 2009. Unexplained voices have been captured on tape here, and visitors have seen apparitions and felt the touch of something unseen. Since 1839, a hotel has stood on the corner of Second and Main in Dubuque. Use the "Browse" or "Choose File" button below to select an image to upload along with your comment. We were about to call the hotel front desk (if we could get internet reception in the elevator), when a combination of mashed elevator buttons dropped the elevator to the basement and finally released us from the elevator. Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa, and it has many interesting historic buildings and stories. I froze and proceeded to walk down the hallway after him and noticed he very quickly turned the corner. "Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best., DUBUQUE ELECTRIC RAILWAY, LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, https://www.facebook.com/groups/992807984136261/search/?query=dubuque&epa=SEARCH_BOX, JULIEN DUBUQUE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-OxBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2309,4651556&dq=stout+house+dubuque&hl=en, https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770429&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l55FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_rwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3517,234458&dq=stout+house+dubuque&hl=en, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LOlFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wPwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4428,854051&dq=aa+cooper+dubuque&hl=en, https://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/index.php?title=HOTEL_JULIEN_DUBUQUE&oldid=170172. With Loftus around, many of the great names in sports made the frequent stops to Dubuque and the Julien. The lease was on the gross receipts basis where the lessee guaranteed to the Dubuque Hotel Company certain annual minimum returns which increased annually up to the year 1920. Bissell shared some antique running lights and a large photograph of a steamer. A. Cooper, Jr. (17), In 1916 in a unique chapter in Dubuque history, the hotel offered the people of Dubuque artesian well water from a well in the empty lot at the rear of their building. In 1854 reconstruction, under the new ownership of a Mr. Burton and a Mr. Finlay, doubled the capacity of the hotel, renamed the JULIEN HOUSE, to eighty rooms. The DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION Charity Ball was the first to be held at the hotel in years. The historic Hotel Julien has an impressive history that spans more than 170 years. I looked him up on Google and as soon as the image loaded I couldnt believe what I saw. No shortcuts here, just quality and sophistication.Our Executive Queen room was cozy and very very luxurious. In the morning, I was looking for a shirt, when my girlfriend said: whats on your back? Turns out there were three really red scratches. Reports say that a nun once hanged herself from the choir loft balcony, and she now wanders the halls. The lobby area is especially nice, with free internet access and computer for the guests. "Remember Old Julien House, Successor to Waples House?" Local legend states that hed come to Dubuque and hide out at the Hotel Julien while he waited for things to cool down in Chicago. There are two ghosts that appear from time to time in the mid-19th-century Fischer Building, according to those in the know. Read more 0 I did not know anything about the hotels history. We are glad to know that you enjoyed your stay and we do apologize for the cable inconvenience. One of the most interesting is the Hotel Julien. Her white figure is said to be seen at midnight, sitting in front of a window. It wasnt until the next day that we were talking about it that we thought to look into it. Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. P.S. This hotel's claim to fame is that it was the spot where the Gideon's Bible originated. this went on for over 1/2 hour. "Cooking Will Again Become An Art, Dubuque Chef Says, When Prohibition Passes Out," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, July 23, 1933, p. 2, 24. Food Preparation & Service Banquet Set-up $13.46 per hour Bartender $9.90 per hour Line Cook/Prep Cook $13.39 per hour Some say he even made an underground garage to hide his cars so he could stay undercover. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. I walked the hall found the elevator I was going to go to the main floor when I saw a sign saying what floors had the ice machines. It "was furnished extravagantly and was known far and wide for its gourmet cuisine." Unfortunately, a fire burned down much of the building but they took what was left and rebuilt it. The Waples House was known for fine dining and extravagant furnishings. It has been a mental institution among other things, and at least 80 people are said to have died here. "Change of Venue in Hotel Case Asked," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, December 13, 1927, p. 2, 19. We purposely made a detour to Dubuque to stay at this hotel. But if you spend the night you may or may not have some strange encounters. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. In 1854 the hotel was renamed the Julien House. Nobody there. If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! Most historic hotels have spectral residents or visitors. The mix of restored old features and modern new features compliment each other well. If the guest was in law enforcement this couldve been the reason. View deals for Hotel Julien Dubuque, including fully refundable rates with free cancellation. This place oozes historic elegance. One day, Lou followed two braves into the woods to learn the whereabouts of some nearby lead mines. "Cooper-A Proud Family Now Gone," Telegraph Herald, Dec. 7, 1981, p. 1. We appreciate your feedback and do apologize for noise in your room. Some believe this spectre is Al Capone, who frequently stayed in the . The lights operate by themselves, and cameras and tape recorders behave strangely. Also close to the casino if that's your thing.A couple of downsides. The building was the town library until 1985. The Waples House became Julien Guest House. I'm quite tempted to go and check it out again now that I know it could be haunted. HotelJulienDubuqueGM, General Manager at Hotel Julien Dubuque, responded to this review. It is said that a convicted child molestor once lived here and was beaten to death by one of the victims' parents. Clicks to Website: 270 The ownership of the hotel changed again in 1867 when it was purchased by W. W. WOODWORTH and his son-in-law, Dr. Charles A Reed. stay at this place if youre ever in the area. A collector of antiques, Pfohl brought many one-of-a-kind objects to the building including the famous Ziegfeld mirror to the lobby. Hotel Julien Dubuque If you love the idea of sleeping with the spirits around, visit the historic Hotel Julien in Dubuque. There's nothing to be scared of at Hotel Julien Dubuque! I worked there in the 80s. After the 33 million dollar renovation of the interior and exterior of the building, the hotel now boasts 133 luxury guest rooms and elegant event spaces that host corporate retreats, board meetings and weddings. In other No one knows exactly who is haunting the Matthias Ham museum, but ghostly tales abound. I stayed at the hotel (Dec. 2015) 4th or 5th floor. Hotel Julien Dubuque 200 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 4.5 Wonderful 1004 reviews Verified reviews 5 - Excellent 691 4 - Good 207 3 - Okay 69 2 - Poor 26 1 - Terrible 11 4.7/5 Cleanliness 4.5/5 Staff & service 4.4/5 Amenities 4.5/5 Property conditions & facilities 4.4/5 Eco-friendliness Write a review 5/5 Excellent Jennifer Traveled with partner Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. The bathroom includes a separate shower and robes. A. Cooper charging that while the hotel was making a good profit they were not sharing in it. Caroline's Restaurant, open daily, offers American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I then ask her if theres any activity here and if so what floor. It was him Im a firm believer in the afterlife and this solidified it for me. Louis Pfohl eventually purchased the hotel, and remodeled the building. The rooms are beautifully decorated. (11), In 1892 Charles Wales, the hotel manager, asked Thomas E. LOFTUS, then managing the Cincinnati baseball team, to take over the management of the hotel bar during the off-season. He wears an overcoat with the collar turned up. Happy haunting! "Hotel Case to Come Up Next Tuesday," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, December 9, 1927, p. 9, 16. The staff was gracious and helpful and apologized profusely that the computer system was having a glitch and didn't properly swipe my credit card and I had to return to the front desk. Never saw Al Capone, or any other ghosts, Im calling BS. Problem is no one bothers to tell you about the noise from the "SteamBoat Lounge" We heard from several sources in town that the hotel was haunted but we found out not by spirits it is by the screaming and yelling from the bar adjacent to the hotel .We were on the 3rd floor and even with earplugs the rap music penetrated our hopefully peaceful very expensive night of rest.So if you plan on sleeping here ask for rooms on the backside of the hotel or maybe upper floors may be quieter? Visit us for the ultimate in relaxation and sophistication. Not only is it Iowas oldest hotel, but its one of the most haunted buildings in the Midwest. It then passed to A. One of the most interesting is the. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. In a type of "smell off", the two postmasters met at the Julien on March 8, 1935. Homes for his daughters and their families also were built on the property. Cemeteries near Dubuque, IA When we called the elevator help line from the phone in the elevator, the pre-recorded message stated that there was no one available to help us. While youre in Dubuque, be sure to take a ride on the The Worlds Shortest And Steepest Scenic Railway the 4th Street Elevator! "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, April 29, 1877, p. 4. It was placed this way because it was the custom of passenger trains coming to town to stop at Second and Iowa to allow passengers to go to the hotel for breakfast, lunch or dinner. When the Klauers sold the hotel, there was no place locally to display many of the larger pieces. The spirit of a middle-aged washerwoman haunts the area with her wooden washtub. As part of the renovation, the hotel also received a new name: Hotel Julien Dubuque. Brian United States of America Excellent location! Hotel Julien Dubuque Reviews Hotel Julien Dubuque Dubuque, IA 4.5 13 Reviews View more information 13 Reviews 4.5 out of 5.0 Recommended by 91% of couples Quality of service 4.7 Average response time 4.6 Professionalism 4.5 Value 4.5 Flexibility 4.5 Awards 13 13 User photos + 9 Sort by: Karissa S. Married on 06/11/2022 5.0 Quality of service 5.0 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Caroline's, was tasty and reasonable at 6 - 10 dollars a dish. An option to purchase their stock was offered by the Coopers. In 2007, the Fischer Companies began further renovation, intending to restore the building's exterior to its original appearance, plus renovating the interior of the hotel. (13), Fire destroyed the Julien Hotel on April 13, 1913, with an estimated loss of $294,000. Our specter crew has this haunt in processing and will be updating its information shortly. She hesitantly then begins to tell me about sightings on the 5th floor a lot. Hotel Julien Al Capone loved this hotel and would lay low here when things got too hot for him in Chicago. One male guest felt a burning sensation on his shoulder for about a minute while lying in bed. I tried to ask him what he was talking about and when I got him awake he had no idea what I was talking about. Dubuque Welcome Center is minutes away. Especially haunted is said to be Warde Hall. Hotel Julien Dubuque is located in downtown Dubuque on Main Street, between West 3rd Street and West 2nd Street, and is right off the 61 FWY. HOTEL JULIEN DUBUQUE. My husband and I stayed at this hotel for local wedding last weekend. One couple that was having a good time enjoying amorous activity in their suite were surprised when the light on the bed table popped on during their climax of love. This historic mansion was the residence of the notable writer, who spent her years throughout here during the warmer months. It is a beautiful, renovated hotel with great presentation and history. Come stay with us! The resident ghost here is Helen, a student who died of influenza in 1918. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? The haunts at this opera house, built between 1889 and 1890, like to pull pranks. The Hotel Julien Dubuque is a hotel located in downtown Dubuque, Iowa at Second and Main streets. The hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of a great farmer's market on Saturdays, the casino, the aquarium, and many restaurants/bars/shopping. Hotel is very close to some great resturants, winery, river walk and an awesome River Museum so it does have some good points.The hotel resturant "Caroline's" has a great Breakfast menu ~Banana bread french toast is awesome! It is made of steel and concrete with red bricks on the outside for floors three through eight. It was also the presidential campaign headquarters for Ulysses S. Grant, among others. She floated by the office of a staff member, about 5 feet off the floor near a staircase. Eventually the front section was torn down and replaced by a more modern structure.